Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, introduced a revised ex gratia lump sum compensation scheme for its employees recruited after October 5, 2007, who die while performing their official duties.
The new policy, dated October 4, 2025, was issued following the approval of the Prasar Bharati Board. It is the first major revision since the norms established in 1998, which had then set the compensation at ₹5 lakh for deaths due to accidents or terrorist violence, and ₹7.5 lakh for those killed in war or border skirmishes.
As per the new policy, the compensation amount for families of employees who lose their lives in the course of duty has increased sharply. The ex gratia payment will now range from ₹25 lakh to ₹45 lakh, depending on the risk level associated with the assignment’s nature.
Families of employees who pass away due to accidents or acts of violence by terrorists or anti-social elements while performing their official duties will receive an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh. For employees who pass away due to border skirmishes or action against militants, terrorists, extremists, or sea pirates, the compensation amount for the family will rise to ₹35 lakh.
Similarly, families of employees who die while on duty in high-altitude or inaccessible border posts, especially under extreme weather or natural disaster conditions. The highest level of ex gratia payment of ₹45 lakh will be given to families of employees who pass away during enemy action, war-like engagements, or evacuation operations of Indian nationals from war-torn regions abroad, as officially notified by the competent authority.
The order states that the CEO of Parsar Bharti is the competent authority to sanction the ex gratia payments. It establishes a strict timeline for claim processing, mandating that the concerned administrative division notify the competent authority immediately upon an employee’s death and process the claim within a week. The ex gratia amount should ideally be disbursed within a fortnight of the incident to ensure prompt financial relief to the bereaved families.
Employees are now required to submit a valid nomination specifying their chosen beneficiaries. In the absence of such a nomination, the compensation will be shared equally among all eligible family members, as per the norms governing retirement benefits.
The new order adds that these compensation rates will be aligned with any future revisions notified by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW).
